$90k drug bust

FOUR suspects are in custody and two are on the run following a series of police raid of marijuana farms in Macuata in a span of two days.

The raid also resulted in police seizing $90,000 worth of marijuana.

Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said this included raids on three farms, and findings of plastics of dried leaves which were confiscated from a house at Nasasa in Nadogo.

Insp Sokomuri said the piles of dried leaves were wrapped in tarpaulins and plastics and kept inside a bucket.

"It was all done up and prepared for the market. Police responded quickly to the tip-off received," he said.

"This week only, our team in Labasa have raided four farms. One farm in Labasa area was raided on Monday and the other three were raided yesterday.

"At the house of the suspect, we removed dried leaves ready for the market and it is all valued at about $90,000."

Insp Sokomuri said a policeman from the drug unit was sent to the area two weeks ago as an undercover cop to observe movements in the area.

"He was also tasked to look at the farms so he can confirm it to the team in Labasa and after confirming it, we moved up early yesterday morning at 4. It is sad to see that despite our continuous reminders to the people about the consequences of planting this drug, some just ignore it."

Insp Sokomuri said the discovery of the marijuana farms within a short period of time meant more farms could be around.

"So we are warning those involved that even if they think we won't get to them, we will."